Carla: The Soulful Voice of Modern Blues-Rock

Carla is a British blues-rock singer and guitarist known for her raw vocal power and incendiary live performances. Her 2018 album 'Midnight River' achieved Gold certification in the UK and peaked at number 12 on the national albums chart, cementing her status as a leading force in the genre's revival.

Early career

Born in Manchester in 1990, Carla began playing guitar at age 14, deeply influenced by her father's vinyl collection of classic blues. She honed her craft through relentless gigging in Northern England's pub circuit before self-releasing her debut EP, 'Whiskey & Smoke', in 2013, which caught the attention of independent label Riverside Records.

Breakthrough

Carla's major breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the single 'Steel in My Veins'. The song became an unexpected hit on rock radio, leading to a signing with major label imprint Atlas Music and the release of her first full-length album, 'The Hard Way', which charted at number 45 in the UK.

Key tracks

Steel in My Veins — This breakthrough single introduced Carla's signature blend of gritty blues and modern rock production to a wide audience.

Midnight River — The title track from her Gold-certified album became a staple on rock radio and showcased her evolved songwriting.

Burn It Down — A fiery collaboration with guitarist Joe Bonamassa that expanded her reach into the American blues scene.

Queen of Ashes — This powerful ballad demonstrated her vocal range and earned a prominent sync placement in a major television drama.

Following the success of 'Midnight River', Carla embarked on extensive international touring and recorded a celebrated live album at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020. Her most recent studio work, 2022's 'Phoenix', debuted at number 8 on the UK chart and featured a notable collaboration with producer Ethan Johns, known for his work with Kings of Leon and Laura Marling.

Fans of Carla's potent blues-rock sound should also explore the work of similar artists from the UK scene. Joanne Shaw Taylor shares a similar mastery of searing guitar work and soulful delivery. The Dead Weather captures a comparable raw, garage-blues energy and powerful female-fronted dynamic. Royal Blood mirrors the heavy, riff-driven foundation of Carla's music, albeit in a duo format. Yola blends classic soul and rock influences with a modern sensibility in a way that resonates with Carla's approach.

Carla's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on classic rock FM stations and independent music radio stations that champion guitar-driven artists. Her hits are frequently featured on online rock radio streams and alternative rock radio stations seeking authentic, powerful vocals.

Listeners can discover the powerful blues-rock of Carla on radio stations featured across our network. Her defining albums and latest singles are regularly played on the variety of rock and alternative stations available to stream on onairium.com.